I'm tryin to decide which Gasser to get - my LHS has a SE with 260 Hanson in stock or should I get the Carbon unit? I'm just a newbie and I am only hovering my Pred 70 SE but I have wanted Gasser for a long time. I figure I could get the SE and upgrade it later - I would have it in the air sooner due to funds or I could get the Carbon but not fly it for a while till I get some more $$ for the elect. Or would it make more sense to you guys to get a .50 size and fly the poop out of that and the Pred .70 before making the gasser jump?

I say go for the 50. Though the gasser is nice because you don't need starting equipment. For starting out though I am not sure i would want to learn on such a high priced heli. If you get a cheap 50 like a raptor and then move up it might be better. Practice the moves on your 50 and then try them on your bigger machine. I haven't had a big one, I just know that is what the guys I flew with did. The crashes don't cost as much then.

ASAT

Having just finished building a carbon gasser up for a friend, I gotta say I really like that carbon machine. I currently own a metal one.....and a carbon machine is TOP of my list of wants.....

For an intermediate ship, the Raven 50 works very well....and being a previous raptor owner, it feels more responsive and takes a command beter IMHO. I thought my rappy 50 V2 was pretty good....then flew a raven that a friend has had.......

sold the rappy. Wasn't unhappy with it...but happier with the flight characteristics of the Raven.

I know of several folks that went from the 30 class up to gassers....in their own words, they don't think it was a mistake at all.

Maybe they will chime in.....

I would personally get the machine you can afford....even the metal framed gasser......and avoid skimping on electronics. If you have your heart set on the carbon machine......then get ya one. It takes some time to get it built up and ready to go......even if it is not your first one.

FWIW, the carbon frame upgrade is $190......which you can do later.

If you decide to get a gasser, feel free to contact me for any questions or suggestions. I'm here to help. Along with a score of other Predator gasser owners that are enjoying their machines......

Oh, one more thing.......$2.87 a gallon for Ozark camper fuel at Wal-Mart. I don't even want to know what glow fuel costs anymore...not to mention that a tank on the gasser is about 30 minutes worth of air time...
James

AGRA - thanks man, so what are the needs of the gasser? Does it have to have a governor? Would some Hitec 945 MG's be OK on it? How much difference in power is the Hanson 2 6 vs. the 231? (Ifly at 4700 asl)

ASAT,
I have both the raptor 50, and predator gasser. it's night and day difference between the two. here are a few of the differences:

Crash from a 10 ft tail in hover-
Raptor 50 = $35
Gasser=$90
that is with wood blades, and stander crash kit

Power-
Raptor 50 - enough to do almost any trick in the book
Gasser - wow is all i can say

Fuel
without a doubt camper fuel is the way to go. can't beat $3.76 a gallon

don't skimp on the servos. i have hi-tech karbonites for the eccmp setup, and they work fine, but go with the futaba 9254 for the tail. i had a hi-tech on the tail, and it failed. the result was not pretty. if you are just hovering, and confident of your abilities, go with the gasser. but for practicing 3d, i would go with the raptor 50.

finally......i can fly!

I say go for the gasser. In your case, a crash on the gasser won't really cost much more than your glow heli, since they are both Predators. Also, you're already familiar with the mechanics of the Predator at this point so fine tuning the new gasser should be fairly simple.

I flew glow machines for 5 years before getting my gasser. It takes a bit to get used to the different torque curve that the gasser has, but it's the best choice I made. Gas helis are a little heavier and will take a short time to get used to the control response in the air. Otherwise, I fly 'em like a nitro machine - loops, rolls, inverted, and 3D.

I'm in the process of ordering a Predator Gas Carbon Kit right now. Can't wait 'til it arrives. You won't catch me paying $18.00+ for a gallon of fuel EVER again!